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Is Mexico the 2026 World Cup’s best host country?

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Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey are the three Mexican host cities for this mega World Cup, hosted jointly with the United States and Canada. Images from these cities have quickly spread across social media, showing fans of many nations celebrating with Mexican fans.

Along the narrow streets of Monterrey’s nightlife district, older women dance salsa, arm-in-arm with sandal-wearing Dutch fans while loud reggae music blasts from the speakers of bars and restaurants. Other locals jump in circles with World Cup tourists, taking turns waving Moroccan and Mexican flags. Mexican fans are cheering on supporters of other teams, even tossing them into the air before catching them as a group. There is one particularly strong image that depicts fans consoling South Korean supporters after a 1–0 loss before treating them to tequila shots.

“I was a bit afraid I’d fall to the ground and get hurt, but they caught me,” Leonardo Jun from South Korea told DW. “Everyone took photos with me as if I were a pop star. It’s pretty cool to be welcomed like that.”

“You can really feel the World Cup here,” said Sebastian from Colombia, who managed to snag tickets for a match at the legendary Azteca Stadium.

His compatriot Xavier reported: “This is my first World Cup, and the Mexicans have already become like brothers to us.”

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Colombian fans celebrating with various flags
Colombian fans have felt very much at home in MexicoImage: Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto/picture alliance

While headlines in the United States initially focused on issues entering the country, high public transport costs, and the unique tipping culture, Mexico offers an authentic openness and warmth that has many international visitors raving. Brenda, a Mexican herself, believes that “all three hosts are doing a great job, but Mexico has that special something.”

A record three-time host

Ahmed from Egypt also traveled to Mexico City.

“I had high expectations, and I haven’t been disappointed. Mexico has a wonderful culture of hospitality and, after all, knows a thing or two about major football events.”

Following the tournaments in 1970 and 1986, Mexico has become the only country to host the World Cup for a third time.

Fans holding up an Egyptian and a Mexican flag
Ahmed from Egypt (left) enjoyed the atmosphere in Mexico CityImage: Josue Perez/ZUMA/picture alliance

In this regard, Mexico has an edge over Canada and the USA, where other sports like ice hockey, baseball, basketball, and American football take center stage. In New York, for instance, there was little World Cup buzz during the opening days; soccer was overshadowed by the New York Knicks‘  first NBA title win in over half a century.

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Deeply rooted football culture

In Mexico, by contrast, football is deeply embedded in the national psyche and is omnipresent these days. National team players smile from numerous roadside billboards, and the typically red Coca-Cola cans are being sold in green – the color of the national jersey.

From taxi drivers and flight attendants to pizza delivery workers, everyone is wearing the green jersey featuring the golden eagle on the chest – the national symbol that also adorns the center of the Mexican flag.

Mexican fans watching a football match together
Mexican fans, young and old, live and die with the fortunes of “El Tri”Image: Lisi Niesner/REUTERS

“The only problem with this World Cup is that it isn’t taking place in Mexico the whole time,” said Tom, who traveled from Yorkshire, England.

“I think Mexico performed better than the United States and Canada. For me, they are the winners among the hosts,” said Jenny.

Mexico and Canada were both allocated 13 matches – a small fraction of the total of 104 games. The opening match took place in Mexico City, but the Round of 16 clash between “El Tri” and England will be the last match in the country. From the quarterfinals on, all of the games will be in the United States.

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The protests that took place in Mexico before the start of the tournament, as well as the debates regarding match security, now seem a distant memory. For most fans, none of that matters anymore. Crowd control remains a more pressing concern following the death of three fans who were caught in a crowd crush during celebrations.

This article was adapted from German.

Edited by: Jonathan Harding

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Nigeria Finishes as Africa’s Top Nation at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

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Team Nigeria finished the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Africa’s highest-ranked nation after winning 24 medals.

Nigeria ended the Games in seventh place on the final medal table with 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals.

The performance saw Nigeria finish ahead of several traditional sporting nations, including Jamaica, Wales, Malaysia and South Africa.

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However, Nigeria’s overall medal haul was lower than its performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the country won 35 medals.

The 24 medals in Glasgow represent a drop of 11 medals, while the 10 gold medals were also two fewer than the 12 gold medals won in Birmingham.

Australia topped the final medal table with an impressive 70 gold medals, followed by England and Canada.

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South Africa was the second-best African nation, finishing 11th with seven gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals.

Kenya finished 13th with three gold, four silver and five bronze medals, while Mauritius placed 15th with one gold, two silver and one bronze.

Cameroon finished 16th with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Uganda won two silver and one bronze medal to finish 27th, while Namibia placed 29th with one silver and two bronze medals.

Ghana finished 30th with one silver and one bronze.

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Other African countries that won medals were Lesotho, Zambia, Gabon, Rwanda and The Gambia.

A total of 13 African nations won at least one medal at the Games.

Although Nigeria’s medal tally was lower than in Birmingham, finishing as Africa’s number one nation once again highlights the country’s strength across different sports and its place among the Commonwealth’s leading sporting nations.

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Moses Itauma ranks one man above all others as the hardest hitting heavyweight ever

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Moses Itauma has weighed in on the hardest hitting heavyweight of all time debate, naming a formidable puncher who ended his career with a 92% knockout-to-win ratio.

When it comes to discussing the most powerful heavyweights in boxing history, fans will often mention Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Earnie Shavers and Deontay Wilder.

Tyson was particularly ruthless before and during his first world title reign, which came to an end when he suffered a stunning stoppage defeat to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.

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Foreman, too, was capable of delivering highlight-reel knockouts at the top level, as evidenced by his stoppages of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in 1973 and 1974, respectively.

As for Wilder, it could be argued that, while boasting a 95% knockout-to-win ratio, he, unlike ‘Iron’ Mike and ‘Big George’, does not have the resume of an all-time great.

In terms of raw power, though, prodigious talent Itauma has told DAZN that he believes Shavers is the greatest heavyweight puncher of all time.

While never winning a world title, the ‘Black Destroyer’ fought in an era that was brimming with world-class operators, including Hall of Famers Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes.

And while he did, of course, lose to both of those champions, Shavers nonetheless gave a tremendous account of himself on each occasion.

Two of his most notable stoppages came against Norton and Joe Bugner, with this generation’s Itauma clearly an admirer of the American’s career.

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And with the 21-year-old swiftly becoming a prolific knockout artist in his own right, perhaps he will eventually be mentioned in the same breath as Shavers, Tyson, Foreman and Wilder.

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Tottenham consider Victor Osimhen as striker search continues

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a move for Victor Osimhen as they look to strengthen their attack ahead of the new season.

Spurs are searching for a new striker, with manager Roberto De Zerbi keen to improve his forward line. Richarlison’s future at the club is also uncertain.

Victor Osimhen scored his 17th goal of the season to help Galatasaray win 1-0 against Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.Victor Osimhen scored his 17th goal of the season to help Galatasaray win 1-0 against Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.

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Reports on Sunday claimed that Osimhen has emerged as a new name on Tottenham’s transfer wishlist.

The Nigerian striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several years. Chelsea were strongly interested in him two years ago, but talks broke down in the final days of the summer transfer window.

Osimhen is now at Galatasaray and is reportedly keen to move to the Premier League. According to CaughtOffside, personal terms are not expected to be a problem, with the 27-year-old said to be open to joining Tottenham.

Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 3-0 to win the 2024/25 Turkish Cup on Wednesday night.Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 3-0 to win the 2024/25 Turkish Cup on Wednesday night.
Victor Osimhen

Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur claims Tottenham have made an opening offer of between £50 million and £55m for the Super Eagles striker.

However, Galatasaray are reportedly looking for around £65m before agreeing to sell Osimhen.

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It remains unclear whether Tottenham will make a serious move for the Nigerian, but De Zerbi is expected to push for a new striker before the transfer window closes.

The Spurs boss also admitted on Saturday that Richarlison’s future remains uncertain.

“I like him as a player, as a guy,” De Zerbi said after Richarlison scored a late winner against Chelsea in Sydney.

“He has an unbelievable attitude and behaviour, but in the end we have to respect what he wants to do. We all know what he wants to do.

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“But for me, he’s still an important player because it’s not so easy to find another striker like Richarlison. He scores goals. He scored 12 goals last season, not through luck, because he knows how to score.”

With Richarlison’s future still unclear, Osimhen could become an attractive option for Tottenham as they look for a proven goalscorer.

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Terence Crawford predicts a ‘bloodbath’ if William Zepeda faces one world champion next

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Terence Crawford is excited about the prospect of William Zepeda potentially facing one man in particular next.

Zepeda cemented his status as one of the best 135lb fighters on the planet when he won the vacant WBC lightweight title on Saturday with a unanimous decision victory over Lamont Roach.

It saw the Mexican star return to winning ways after a defeat to Shakur Stevenson last year, and hand Roach just the second loss of his professional career, having drawn with Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis in his last two bouts.

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Crawford was in attendance to witness Zepeda’s victory, and speaking on the TNT broadcast following the bout, he praised the performance of the new champion.

“Zepeda caught me off guard. I wasn’t ready for that. I was looking for a straight come forward type fighter, but from round one I said ‘damn look at his movement.’

“Look at his footwork. His distance, his range, his angles, his faints, his jabbing, his counter ability, his punch placement. How he was controlling the fight. Roach would hit him with a good shot, but he would eat it and come right back.”

The TNT panel then discussed a potential clash between Zepeda and current unified super-featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete, and Crawford made it perfectly clear what a war he thinks that could be.

“That’s CTE at its finest. You talk about a bloodbath, it’s a bloodbath waiting.”

Three-weight world champion Navarrete added the IBF super-featherweight title to his WBO crown when he defeated Eduardo Nunez back in February, and may be interested in the chance to claim gold in a fourth division by moving up to take on Zepeda.

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Chelsea Green’s husband reacts after she becomes the interim WWE Women’s Champion at SummerSlam 2026

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Chelsea Green’s biggest career victory at WWE SummerSlam 2026 received an immediate reaction from someone who knows her journey better than anyone else. Shortly after Green captured the Interim Women’s Championship, her husband, Matt Cardona, took to social media to celebrate the historic moment.

The Interim WWE Women’s Championship was introduced after reigning champion Rhea Ripley suffered a torn meniscus while successfully defending her title against Jade Cargill in their rematch at Clash in Italy. Ripley had originally won the championship by defeating Cargill at WrestleMania 42, but her injury forced the sports entertainment juggernaut to crown a temporary champion until she is medically cleared to return.

Following Adam Pearce’s announcement that Ripley would miss SummerSlam, WWE held a series of qualifying matches on SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, and Lash Legend all earned spots in the high-stakes Five-Way Ladder Match.

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The championship bout lived up to expectations. Late in the match, Tiffany Stratton appeared close to victory before Green shoved the ladder, sending her crashing onto the other competitors outside the ring. Moments later, B-Fab and Michin tried to stop Green and assist Cargill, only for The Queen to intervene as the action descended into complete chaos.

After Flair and Cargill neutralized one another at the top of the ladder, Green recovered while the rest of the field was down. She climbed the ladder uninterrupted and unhooked the championship to become the Interim WWE Women’s Champion.

While Matt Cardona did not compete at The Biggest Party of the Summer, he shared a congratulatory message on X after watching The Hot Mess climb the ladder and secure the championship on Night Two of SummerSlam.

“Here is your winner and NNNEEEWWW @WWE Women’s Champion…my hot wife…@ImChelseaGreen!”

Chelsea Green can now call herself Interim Women’s Champion, but her reign comes with a major challenge waiting in the future. Once Rhea Ripley returns from injury, the two stars will eventually collide in a Championship Unification Match to determine the undisputed titleholder.

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